The foreign correspondence of the English press is an invaluable feature of
that mighty engine of civilisation and progress, for which the world cannot
be too thankful; but as the agents in it at Paris, Berlin, Vienna, &c., are
more or less imbued with the insular views and prejudices which they carry
with them from England, Scotland, or Ireland, it were well if the daily
journals devoted more attention than they do to the _leading articles_ of
the Continental press, which is frequently distinguished by great ability
and interest, and would {219} enable Englishmen, not versed in foreign
languages, to judge, from another point of view, of Continental
affairs--now becoming of surpassing interest and importance. Translations
or abstracts of the leading articles of _The Times_, _Morning Chronicle_,
_Morning Post_, &c., are constantly to be met with in the best foreign
papers. Why should not our great London papers more frequently gratify
their readers with articles from the pens of their Continental brotherhood?
This would afford an opportunity also of correcting the false statements,
or replying to the erroneous judgments put forth and circulated abroad by
writers whose distinguished position enables them, unintentionally no
doubt, to do the more mischief. A surprising change for the better,
however, as respects Great Britain, is manifest in the tone and information
of the foreign press of late years. Let us cherish this good feeling by a
corresponding demeanour on our part.